South Dakota lawmakers launch impeachment investigation of attorney general

Lawmakers in South Dakota launched an impeachment investigation Tuesday into Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) and his involvement in a car crash that killed a pedestrian last year.

The investigation, conducted by a committee in South Dakota’s House, will produce a report and a recommendation either to impeach or not impeach Ravnsborg, according to The Associated Press.

In September 2020, Ravnsborg allegedly hit Joseph Boever, who was walking on the wrong side of a rural highway, while driving at night. Boever was killed in the crash. At the time, Ravnsborg said he had not realized that he hit the man until he returned to the scene the following day, though Boever’s glasses were later found in the car.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest in August to misdemeanor charges connected to his involvement in the crash.

Legislators have said that they first wish to determine through the investigation whether Ravnsborg could be impeached on the grounds of the misdemeanor charges, the loss of confidence in his office or his involvement in the death of a man, the AP reported.

According to the state’s constitution, officials can be impeached for engaging in “corrupt conduct, malfeasance or misdemeanor in office,” per the wire service.

If state lawmakers do go through with the process, it will mark the first time that an elected state official in South Dakota has been impeached — or even faced an impeachment trial, according to Dakota News Now.

“This is unprecedented in state history, which means we need to be thoughtful,” state Rep. Will Mortenson (R) said of the pending decision. “And keep in mind the public, the family of any victims here and the subject of impeachment as well.”

Mortenson first called for Ravnsborg to be impeached in February, and has advocated for the public to have access to the material the House committee reviews. House lawmakers agreed to make the material — excluding confidential and “nonrelevant information” — available to the public, according to the AP.

Boever’s widow, Jenny Boever, told The Argus Leader that she will not feel that her late husband has received justice until Ravnsborg is removed from office.

“They just need to make the right decision and take him out of this because there is going to be no closure until something is figured out,” said Jenny Boever. “He needs to be impeached.”